The issue of furniture is one I have not thought much of, but now I am. I have mostly lived in places that were furnished by my housemates with their furniture. I always take great care of it. Back in college we'd just get free couches and chairs off the side of the road and throw a sheet over them. But that was the era of "Free Couch" -- before bed bugs plagued the land. :/ So you can't do that anymore.

I guess that if I ever have a stable place to live again I will reconsider the furniture issue. I was married before and had a nominally stable place for a few years, so we have couches. But they were damaged in a cross country move. So they were pitched.

Why is your friend going through all that just to make a few extra bucks on a house? That is one tough anchor to have tethered to her. :/